Hanwha Ocean CEO Summoned to National Audit After Worker Death, Smiles for Selfie with Hani

"Apology to the People, National Assembly, and Bereaved Families"

Jung In-seop, President of Hanwha Ocean Geoje Plant, is capturing NewJeans' Hanni on camera at the Environment and Labor Committee's national audit held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 15th.
[Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group]

On the afternoon of the 15th, Jeong In-seop, President of Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) Geoje Plant, was photographed with NewJeans member Hani (real name Hani Pham) at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee's audit session, drawing criticism from a lawmaker.

Jeong was summoned to the National Assembly audit due to a serious accident at the shipyard where five subcontracted and primary workers died. Hani appeared as a witness at the audit concerning 'idol bullying and workplace harassment' targeting agencies under the Economic, Social and Labor Committee and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, sitting in the back seat behind Jeong.

Photos taken by the National Assembly press photographers that day showed Jeong taking out his phone and smiling while taking a 'selfie' with Hani sitting behind him. Upon noticing the camera, Hani responded with a slight smile and tilted her head sideways.

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Tae-seon said, "People are dying at the company, and you are taking selfies? Is this something to laugh about? While taking selfies is possible, a representative appearing as a witness should not behave with such an attitude." Jeong apologized, saying, "Hani was nervous," and added, "I am sorry."

As the controversy grew, Hanwha Ocean issued an apology under CEO Kim Hee-chul's name, stating, "We sincerely apologize and deeply regret causing concern due to our thoughtless behavior. We offer our deepest apologies to the public, the National Assembly, and the bereaved families."

Jung In-seop, President of Hanwha Ocean Geoje Plant, is taking an oath at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 15th during the National Assembly inspection of the Environment and Labor Committee regarding the Economic and Social Labor Committee, Central Labor Committee, and Minimum Wage Committee.
[Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers]

At the Environment and Labor Committee audit that day, issues regarding 'shipyard worker deaths and treatment' were raised. Hanwha Ocean's safety supervision came under scrutiny. Jin Hye-kyung, a Progressive Party lawmaker, played a video of the Hanwha Ocean worksite and criticized, "Can this be considered a safety measure? There are actually places that are even less safe than this."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hak-young also pointed out, "One of the causes of the Hanwha Ocean accident was the poor condition of safety railings and nets to prevent falls," and questioned, "Does the lifting of the work stoppage mean that labor inspectors did not see this, or did the review committee make a decision without proper verification?"

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Wi-sang remarked, "The excessively demanding work environment itself is a site where accidents are bound to happen, in other words, a predictable industrial accident." In response, Jeong said, "We plan to invest 2 trillion won in safety-related measures over the next three years," adding, "We are preparing safety countermeasures."